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The 7 Best Roofing Materials (Pros, Cons, Cost, Lifespan, and More)

June 19th, 2023 | 11 min. read

The 7 Best Roofing Materials (Pros, Cons, Cost, Lifespan, and More)

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The roofing material you choose for your upcoming roof replacement impacts pricing, lifespan, warranties, and more. Choosing one is already a huge decision, but choosing the right roofing material is even more important.

The last thing you want is to have regrets or buyer’s remorse on a purchase as big as a roof. Unfortunately, it’s an incredibly time-consuming and stressful undertaking to do all the research. 

For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided unbiased and transparent advice so homeowners can make the most informed decisions. Now, I’ll do the same for you. 

In this article, you’ll learn the cost, lifespan, and warranty information, plus the pros and cons of the following roofing materials:

  • 3-tab asphalt shingles
  • Architectural asphalt shingles
  • Luxury asphalt shingles
  • Standing seam metal roofing 
  • Synthetic shingles 
  • Cedar shake shingles
  • Slate tiles

After that, you’ll learn the 4 questions to ask yourself when deciding which roofing material is right for you. 

3-tab asphalt shingles

3-tab asphalt shingles lay flat and get their name from the 3 tabs on each shingle strip. This asphalt shingle used to dominate the residential roofing industry until technology improved to create architectural asphalt shingles. 

3 tab asphalt shingle roof

Cost: ≈$4.00 per square foot

Lifespan: ≈20 years at most

Material warranty: 25-year limited warranty from the manufacturer

3-tab asphalt shingle pros:

  • Cheapest roofing material on the market
  • Ease of repair and installation

3-tab asphalt shingle cons:

Architectural asphalt shingles

Architectural (also called dimensional) shingles provide a random pattern to give your roof dimension or simulate the look of a wood-shake roof. It’s not only the most common asphalt shingle installed on homes today but also the most common roofing material in general.

architectural asphalt shingle roof

Cost: ≈$5.86 per square foot

Lifespan: 22-25 years 

Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.

Architectural asphalt shingle pros:

  • Affordability
  • Ease of repair and installation
  • Readily available materials and colors

Architectural asphalt shingle cons:

  • Low curb appeal compared to other materials
  • Needs yearly maintenance
  • Prone to hail damage

Luxury asphalt shingles

Luxury (also called designer or premium) shingles are designed to look like a natural slate tile roof. They are larger, more durable, offer the highest curb appeal, and are the most expensive of three types of asphalt shingles.

luxury asphalt shingle roof

Cost: ≈$8.00 per square foot

Lifespan: ≈30 years or longer in perfect conditions

Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.

Luxury asphalt shingle pros:

  • Durability
  • Longevity
  • High curb appeal
  • Stands up well to storm damage

Luxury asphalt shingle cons:

  • Expensive
  • Longer installation compared to the other asphalt shingles
  • Needs yearly maintenance

Standing seam metal roofing

A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. Under each rib (seam) is a clip that fastens the panels together and allows them to glide back and forth when the metal goes through thermal expansion.

standing seam metal roof

Because of its expansion and contraction capabilities, a standing seam metal roof is the recommended type of metal roof for residential purposes.

Cost: ≈$12.00-$15.00 per square foot

Lifespan: 30 years (up to 50 in the right conditions)

Material warranty: 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish

Standing seam metal roofing pros:

  • High curb appeal
  • Versatility (used to accent asphalt shingle roofs) 
  • Color options
  • Long-lasting
  • Durable
  • Virtually maintenance free

Standing seam metal roofing cons:

Synthetic shingle roofing 

Synthetic (also called composite) shingles are made of a synthetic polymer or recycled materials and designed to look exactly like a slate or cedar shake roof. This roofing material is a newcomer to the roofing industry, but it’s becoming increasingly popular among homeowners.

synthetic slate shingle roof

Cost: ≈$14.00-$20.00 per square foot

Lifespan: ≈40-50 years

Material warranty: Depends on the manufacturer

Synthetic shingle roofing pros:

  • Eco-friendly
  • Very high curb appeal
  • Class 4 impact rating
  • No cracking or breaking like natural material counterparts
  • Cheaper than the materials it mimics

Synthetic shingle roofing cons:

  • Newer to the roofing industry
  • Expensive

Cedar shake roofing 

A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood (cedar) materials. The shingles come from large cedar trees in the Northwest United States or Southwest Canada.

cedar shake roof

They are split into 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles: common (most inferior), selects (80/20 split), and 100% straight grain (highest quality). 

Cost: ≈$25.00-$30.00 per square foot

Lifespan: ≈30 years (up to 50, depending on your area’s climate)

Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)

Cedar shake roofing pros:

  • Very high curb appeal
  • Durable

Cedar shake roofing cons:

  • Expensive
  • Needs yearly maintenance
  • Loses the “fresh” color over time
  • Cedar shakes rot, crack, and curl as they age
  • No material warranty
  • Materials may not be readily available

Slate roofing

A slate roof is a premium roof system made primarily out of natural slate tiles and other slate roofing materials. The slate is mined (mostly in Italy) and cut into square tiles. 

slate tile roof

Unlike other roofing materials that come in 3-foot wide strips or metal panels, slate tiles are installed one at a time. Slate roofs are also incredibly heavy, so your home has to be built or retro-framed to carry the weight of a slate roof.

Cost: ≈$15.00-$30.00

Lifespan: 75 to 100 years 

Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)

Slate roofing pros:

  • Longest lasting roofing material available
  • Very high curb appeal
  • Durable

Slate roofing cons:

  • Expensive
  • The weight factor
  • Slate tiles are fragile
  • Slow and skillful installation
  • Harder to repair
  • No material warranty

4 questions to ask yourself when choosing the best roofing material

Now you know the top roofing materials' lifespan, warranties, and cost, plus their pros and cons. While this information is great, you still need to make sure you pick the right one. 

Luckily, there are four questions you can ask yourself and combine them with the information above to truly determine which roofing material is right for you. 

1. What’s my roof replacement budget?

The very first thing you need to determine is your roof replacement budget. If you’re looking for the most affordable option or have a tight budget, a 3-tab or architectural asphalt shingle roof is probably right for you. 

If you have some wiggle room, a luxury asphalt shingle roof is well worth the investment. But if budget isn’t a major deciding factor, a standing seam metal roof or one of the premium roof systems are great options for all their other benefits. 

Now, I’m not saying to break the bank when getting a new roof. However, it’s absolutely crucial not to go into the process with the mindset of trying to find the cheapest price

2. How long do I want my roof to last?

After considering your budget, you need to determine how much return you want on your investment. This return is the number of years your roof keeps you, your family, and your home dry.  

If you’re looking for an affordable roof with a good lifespan, an architectural asphalt shingle is the best option. If you want more durability with added curb appeal, a luxury asphalt shingle roof is a great option. 

If you want a roof that your grandkids have to worry about, consider a standing seam metal roof or a slate roof. Just know that you should also consider your living situation and how long you plan on staying in your home when thinking about lifespans. 

3. How important is curb appeal to me?

The next thing you need to consider is how important your home’s curb appeal is to you. This is where things get subjective because everyone has different tastes. 

However, each roofing material offers different levels of curb appeal. If you don’t care about getting a roof that stands out, an architectural asphalt shingle roof is probably for you.

But if you want more curb appeal, consider a luxury asphalt shingle or standing seam metal roof. Now, if you want a roof that turns heads and stands out from the rest, you should look at a synthetic shingle roof, cedar shake roof, or slate roof. 

4. Is a roofing material warranty important to me? 

The last thing you need to ask yourself is if a roofing material is important to your investment. A roofing material warranty is your only protection if there’s a problem with the roofing materials in the future. 

Each type of asphalt shingle comes out of the package with a warranty from the manufacturer. However, an architectural or luxury asphalt shingle roof does come with the opportunity to get a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty. 

To get this enhanced warranty, all of the asphalt roofing components (including your asphalt shingles) have to come from one specific manufacturer to form a complete roof system.

A standing seam metal roof comes with a 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish that protects the roof from the elements. But just because the paint is warrantied for 30 years doesn’t mean it disappears once your metal roof reaches the 30-year mark. 

On the other hand, you shouldn’t consider a cedar shake roof or a slate roof if a roofing material is important to you. You’ll also have to ask your roofing contractor about the synthetic shingle manufacturer they use to determine their specific material warranty.

Did you decide which roofing material is right for you?

Ok, I know that was a lot of information to take in. But now you have everything you need to choose the right type of roofing material for your roof replacement. 

With this article, I’m confident you have the power to make the right purchasing decision. However, choosing your roofing material is just one big decision you have to make when getting a new roof. 

In fact, the most important decision you’ll make during the entire process is picking a reputable roofing contractor. Unfortunately, the roofing industry doesn’t have the best reputation. 

Speaking truthfully from a roofer’s standpoint, it’s warranted. But the team at Bill Ragan Roofing believes in righting the wrongs of the roofing industry to build that trust back. 

That’s why I wrote another article with the tips homeowners like you need to hire a reputable roofing contractor. 

Check out 7 Tips to Find a Great Roofing Contractor, so you have the power to spot a great roofer out of all the options in your area.

roofing contractor questions checklist

 

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